TIJUANA — Las Noticias, the daily newspaper of Ensenada, called it a “sublime performance, worth bringing the kids.” But it panned another, saying, “don’t waste your lunch hour on this one.”

The subject: American church human video performances, which have become a staple of local entertainment. In “mime alley,” stretching from Tijuana to Juarez, local residents have become connoisseurs of the performances. Youth groups usually have no idea they are being critiqued, but residents of mime alley flock to city squares, or to poor neighborhoods near U.S.-funded orphanages, where human video troupes tend to perform.

In Tijuana in June, a full crowd is on hand to watch a city-square performance by Sheboygan First Assembly which was favorably previewed in the local paper. As the kids finish the drama and the song fades, people applaud.

“Much nuance, an original take on the standard human video theme,” says one mother pushing a stroller, when questioned by a reporter. The youth group, flush with success, fans into the crowd to hand out Spanish-language tracts, but most locals aren’t interested in the salvation appeal, leaving the kids bewildered.

“I thought we nailed it,” says one teen actor.

At a human video performance by a Baptist church from Texarkana, the neighborhood crowd is less approving.

“Even the climax was flat,” says one, shaking her head.

“Yes, but the make-up was good,” says another.

One man gives the ultimate insult: “Solo uno mas Champion,” or “It’s just one more Champion.”

Border town newspapers run Guides to Free Street Entertainment. This year Winston-Salem Christian Center was touted as a best bet, based on last year’s performances; the papers say to avoid other churches which “disappointed” last season. After the youth groups leave, the paper is full of brisk reader exchanges about which evangelistic mime performance was most “artistic” and “compelling.” •